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The Igla (Игла́ "Needle") is a Russian/ Soviet man-portable surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. Its NATO designation is SA-18 Grouse.
A variant is the Igla-1, which has the NATO designation is SA-16 Gimlet.
The Igla-M (NATO designation SA-N-10 Grouse) is a naval variant.
Development of the Igla short-range man-portable air defence missile (MANPADS) began in the Kolomna OKB in 1971. Contrary to what is commonly reported, the Igla is not an improved version of the earlier Strela family (Strela-2/SA-7 and Strela-3/SA-14), but an all new project. The main goals were to create a missile with better resistance to countermeasures and wider engagement envelope than the earlier Strela series MANPADS systems.
Technical difficulties in the development quickly made it obvious that the development would take far longer than anticipated, however, and in 1978 the program split in two: while the development of the full-capability Igla would continue, a simplified version (Igla-1) with a simpler IR seeker based on that of the earlier Strela-3/SA-14 would be developed to enter service earlier than the full-capability version could be finished.
The 9K310 Igla-1 system (NATO: SA-16 Gimlet) and its 9M313 missile were accepted into service in the Soviet army on March 11th, 1981. Main differences to Strela-3 include:
According to manufacturer, South African tests have shown the Igla's superiority over the contemporary (1982 service entry) but smaller and lighter American FIM-92A Stinger missile. However, other tests in Croatia did not support any clear superiority, but effectively equal seeker performance and only marginally shorter time of flight and longer range for the Igla.
According to Kolomna OKB, the Igla-1 has a Pk (probability of kill) of 0.30-0.48 against unprotected target, reducing to 0.24 in the presence of decoy flares and jamming. In another report the manufacturer claimed a Pk of 0.59 against an approaching and 0.44 against receding F-4 fighter not employing infra-red countermeasures or evasive manoeuvers.
The full-capability 9K38 Igla (NATO: SA-18 Grouse, missile round: 9M39) was finally accepted to service in the Red Army in 1983. The main changes over Igla-1 include:
Tests in Finland have shown that compared to the French Mistral, the 9K38 Igla has inferior range and seeker sensitivity and smaller warhead, but superior resistance to countermeasures.
Several variants of the Igla were developed for specific applications:
Igla-M: Naval version (NATO: SA-N-10)
Igla-D: A version for paratroopers and special forces with separate launch tube and missile.
Igla-V: Air-launched version, mainly for combat helicopters.
Igla-N: A version with heavier warhead (range and speed are slightly reduced)
The newest variant is Igla-S, which is a substantially improved variant with longer range, more sensitive seeker, improved resistance to latest countermeasures, and a heavier warhead.
In contrast to the American Stinger which underwent numerous improvement and modenization programs during 1980s and 1990s, there were no significant upgdares to the Igla between the 9K38 Igla (1983) and Igla-S (2002).
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